Bureau of Street Lighting outlines middle‑mile fiber plan; committee holds digital‑equity item for further study

The Civil and Human Rights, Equity, Immigration, Aging and Disability Committee heard a report from the Bureau of Street Lighting and the Civil and Human Rights and Equity Department on city efforts to close the digital divide and address digital discrimination, and agreed to hold the item for further work.

The Bureau of Street Lighting (BSL) presented a middle‑mile strategy that would position city conduit and fiber to reduce the cost barrier for service providers. The bureau said it has constructed just over 3.5 miles of underground fiber conduit, completed fiber cabling along a Crenshaw Corridor pilot and is preparing free public Wi‑Fi tied to a Destination Crenshaw public‑space project. BSL highlighted two larger projects: a 13.3‑mile corridor along the I‑110 in partnership with the state’s Middle Mile Broadband Initiative (MMBI), and conduit deployment associated with the East San Fernando Valley light rail project. A BSL representative said per‑mile construction costs for city middle‑mile conduit are currently about 40% less than private‑sector estimates.

A BSL presenter described the conduit as multi‑duct “micro‑ducts” where each pathway can be leased to individual providers; the bureau said it will retain some conduit for city uses and pursue lease agreements with service providers once the city attorney finalizes colocation and leasing structures.

Kim, identified as assistant general manager at the Civil and Human Rights and Equity Department, described that department’s report as focused on enforcement mechanisms for claims of digital discrimination and noted pending state and federal legislative changes since the report was drafted.

Community advocates who signed up for public comment urged the committee to update the city’s plan and center community needs. Diana Dela Torre of the GPSN collective action group said, “During the pandemic, we saw the stark disparities in access to quality, affordable broadband across communities in Los Angeles.” Gustavo Herrera, chief executive of Arts for LA, added, “Digital access isn't just about access to the Internet, but access to opportunity, to creativity, and even mental health.” Several speakers asked the committee to direct the Human Rights and Equity Department to revise its report to be more community‑centered and to account for federal changes.

Committee members asked technical and operational questions about where conduit would be installed, maintenance responsibility, timing for lease agreements and how the city would leverage Metro and other capital projects to expand fiber without new digs. BSL staff said Metro and other projects provide opportunities to place conduit in corridors that can extend service to underserved neighborhoods and that maintenance obligations for leased conduit would fall to the lessees while the city would maintain its reserved micro‑ducts.

The committee voted to hold the item on the desk for further discussion and requested staff and CLA to report back on: the current federal digital discrimination enforcement landscape and FCC changes, any changes to federal funding availability for digital equity efforts, and relevant state legislation introduced during the 2025 session. The bureau said it aims to have Wi‑Fi in the Crenshaw pilot by the coming summer but noted some delays tied to site availability for equipment.

Ending: The City’s street‑lighting bureau outlined plans to use municipal conduit to lower costs and expand middle‑mile capacity; committee members and community groups asked for more community‑centered enforcement and implementation detail before further action.